Ignore CCM manifesto at your peril, govt workers warned

 Dodoma. The new CCM national chairman, President John Magufuli, yesterday told all public servants that the ruling party was their “boss” and anyone who fails to implement its the election manifesto should be prepared to leave their jobs.

In his first speech as the CCM chairman after taking over the reins from his predecessor Jakaya Kikwete, Dr Magufuli also promised sweeping changes in the party to serve wananchi effectively.

He told CCM extraordinary congress delegates that he would propose the slashing of a number of positions within the party.

“Do we still need drunken UWT members? Do we still need advisors to the Parents Wing?” he asked, noting that he would propose changes in all CCM wings so as to have organs which operate effectively.

“But for this to happen we need well-paid workers. I’ll make sure that party workers are paid handsomely. I don’t want to have workers who beg for money,” he said noting that the party had a lot of resources which he would ensure their proper utilisation.

He said a task force would be formed to take stock of party property.

He noted that the task force would list all the party properties and where they are so as to make it easy to monitor them.

War on corruption

Dr Magufuli reaffirmed his resolve to fight corruption, saying it was unfortunate that CCM was also among parties whose members were using money to buy leadership or members.

“Let me speak the truth. I contested the presidency and witnessed these issues… often, money is what determines who wins an election or a nomination within the party. People without money, even if they are good leaders, can hardly be elected or they had to work overtime to be elected,” he said.

He insisted that CCM cannot win war on corruption if it embraces the vice. “Under my chairmanship, anyone who bribes voters will not be nominated or elected,” he  warned.

He noted it was fortunate that CCM had regulations on how to fight corruption within the party. “I’ll use them well.”

He warned double-dealers, telling them to change and repent.

“Some people pose as loyal CCM members during the day, but at night they work for Chadema. We can’t live with such people. It is better to live with a witch than a saboteur,” he said.

Dr Magufuli vowed  to build a strong and trusted party, which does not depend on businesspeople for its survival.

Manifesto promises

Dr Magufuli reminded CCM members that in last year’s campaigns they made a lot of promises to Tanzanians and the government was obliged to implement the promises.

He listed what his government has so far done in implementing some of promises including providing free education, purchasing two aircraft for cash-strapped Air Tanzania Company Limited, building a standard gauge railway and implementing several other projects.

He noted also that strengthened controls of government revenue collection had been strengthened and the government had intensified the war against ghost workers.

“I’ll also get rid of ghost workers in CCM if they are any,” he said.

He told CCM members to understand its programmes which the government wants to implement.

He noted that the government had drawn up a plan to implement all the promises contained in the CCM manifesto in the next five years.

“If we comprehend these programmes it will be easy for CCM members to sensitise wananchi in contributing for the implementation of the programmes as well as sensitising them to be good taxpayers. If we know the government plans it will be easy for us to closely monitor its implementation especially in our councils,” he said.

Dr Magufuli congratulated representatives of opposition parties who honoured the CCM invitation. He also hailed Mr Fred Mpendazoe and Mr Mgana Msindai for defecting from Chadema to CCM.